Farm Feature
Damya Biodynamic® Olive Oil
For this month’s newsletter, we were fortunate to have the chance to interview Demeter-certified Trader Naouel Bouabid, whose company Massiva brings her award-winning Damya-brand olive oil to the United States.
Naouel answered questions over email, describing her family’s farm in Tunisia, their embrace of Biodynamic production methods, and her experience importing their products to the U.S., after moving here in 2017.
Can you provide some background on your family’s farm in Tunisia? Do you raise other crops in addition to olives? For how long has it been Demeter certified? When did you begin importing olive oils to the United States?
Our family's farm in the Tunisian Sahal region has a long history of growing Tunisian olive varieties and almonds. We also cultivate prickly pears and fig trees along the edges of our land, which helps create a diverse ecosystem. We've been practicing Biodynamic farming and have held Demeter certification for 8 years, showing our dedication to sustainability and quality.
We recognized the unique qualities of our olive oil and decided to share it with the U.S. market, beginning imports in 2020. It's been a rewarding experience to introduce our traditional Tunisian olive oil to American consumers.
What does the Demeter certification mean to your family as farmers and producers of olive oil? What shaped the decision to pursue certification?
Demeter certification is a commitment to sustainable, Biodynamic farming practices. It means we're producing olive oil that's not only of the highest quality but also respectful of the environment. We pursued certification because we believe in the interconnectedness of soil, plants, and people, and we wanted to reflect that in our work.
Are there aspects of Biodynamic management that you particularly appreciate and/or believe create a high-quality product?
We've seen great benefits from both the Biodynamic preparations and the biodiverse plantings. The preparations seem to invigorate the soil and enhance the vitality of our trees, while the diverse plantings create a natural balance that supports the overall health of the farm. We've noticed a significant reduction in pests and diseases, as the diverse plant life attracts beneficial insects and creates a natural balance. This approach contributes to the overall quality and complexity of our olive oil.
Do you feel that your olive oil has had a good reception in the United States? Do you do any outreach to your customers about Biodynamics?
People in the US love our olive oil, which is great! However, we've also noticed that many customers aren't yet very familiar with Biodynamic farming practices. We see this as an opportunity to educate and share our passion. We're actively working on creating more educational content, both online and in person, to help people understand the benefits of Biodynamics. We believe that by increasing awareness, we can foster a deeper appreciation for the quality and sustainability of our olive oil.
Damya's olive oil has won awards in the New York International Olive Oil Competition for the last several years, and in 2024 brought home a gold and a silver award. You can read more about their success in the 2024 competition in this article published in The Olive Oil Times.
